Frustrated but Hopefull

Been to 7 doctors and they call gave me clean bill so f health. Still can not shake the chest tightness and rapid heart beat. Have anxiety through the roof. I'm tired but I am being told to believe in the doctors. Two cardiologist, primary care, urgent care, state of the art banner institute, and nurse practitioner.

[Caspiana]

Hello Hidden . 👋

I guess the clean bill of physical health is a relief but gosh, mental health issues can be as debilitating if not more at times. I can only tell you my experience with anxiety and it will probably be old news to you do I'm sorry if it's not helpful.

My anxiety came to a crescendo about five years ago when I smashed my car because my anxiety made me believe I had to get my car out of a parking space within five minutes. Panic set in. I could have hurt myself and hurt someone else. The racing heart and shortness of breath came with it (this was just about the time I was noticing something wrong with my breathing). I'd wake up with a thumping heart and a dreaded the start of another day. I consulted with my then doctor and asked for a referral to a mental health clinic. His response was "You can't be depressed, you wear make- up". 😔 Luckily, I knew enough was enough and told him so. I am so glad I did because by then depression decided to link arms with my anxiety and run laps in my head. I am currently, on a very low dose of antidepressants and although I still get occasional anxiety, it is nowhere near what it was.

Getting help was the best thing I did, but even better was I learned to change my lifestyle. I tried to unlearn bad habits like thinking I always had to be good at things, or it was definitely okay to make mistakes. Driving myself to be perfect , just made me feel bad and was exhausting. I think if I could put it simply I just learned to give myself a break.

This probably hasn't helped much, but I hope you can see you are not alone. Please take everything slowly and do nice things for yourself. It really takes time, but I believe things can get better.

Sending warm wishes,

Cas xx 🌸🌻

[Hacienda in reply to Caspiana]

Hi my Dear Cas, Your experience is so like my own, I do Believe it was a car Crash that brought on my Lung Problems. My Anxiety got so bad last Year I contemplated to end it all. I had to talk to someone and in the end went to my GP, She was so Understanding and as my Hubby sat with me, she asked me how I intended to do it...It was such a relief to get it out of my System, My Hubby Broke Down, She was so amazing and I never needed to have Medication for it, I now look on that Part of my "Waiting for Transplant" as a Very Black Corner never to Visit again. ...... Now, Here I am all Good and Positive, still waiting for the call, Like you Cas, and now mentally Good. You See we Don't all know each others Lives, So to let a little out, now & again is like self preservation to stay Solid & Secure. Sending Love n Hugs to you my Dear Cas. XXXXX

[Caspiana in reply to Hacienda]

Thank you for sharing dear Carolina. Most of us have had , as you have aptly described as a "black corner". I suppose there comes a time when everything seems to become too heavy a burden. We are both doing okay waiting for our transplants I think. 😀 Let's just keep our tails up as my mum would say. Sending many hugs and a mountain of love to you. xx 🐞💓

[Marielove in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Caspiana....Thank you for replying to posts of anxiety and depression. It's good to know we are not alone. I too suffer from anxiety. Wishing everyone hear the best!!

[Caspiana in reply to Marielove]

*HUG* 🌸

[pepapod]

Hi, I had anxiety and panic attacks in the past. I was late 20’s / early 30’s. I had a rough marriage, demanding job, 2 little children, aunt and then mother passed away suddenly, had to help with father, and had moved away from most of family and friends. I was sure I had a heart condition or something terribly blue wrong with me. Ran from one doctor to the next, had lots of tests, went to the urgent care, wore one of those monitor things for a whole week. Nicotine and caffeine were pretty much my whole diet back then. Guess what? My heart was (and 30 years later still is) fine. That is my true story. Just thought I would share it with you, in case it is of any help, or for a laugh to read about this woman who had all kinds of reasons to be stressed, but just couldn’t accept that she was - stresssssed!! Hope you find the answers and peace you need my friend 👋

[Caspiana in reply to pepapod]

So well put pepapod . 👍😄

[Hidden in reply to pepapod]

Thank you, my heart is good according to cardiologist. I rocked their stress test and he told me I would not have been able to do that if my lungs were bad. So that gave me some reassurance that my lungs are good, today ha! I am glad you heart is still kicking!

[knitter]

I too have suffered anxiety, breathlessness, panic , more breathlessness....it's easy to get into a vicious circle.

I was given anti anxiety medication for a while, and a GP realised that my breathing pattern was not good......no air was getting into the bottom of my lungs I was panicky upper chest breathing which led to hyperventilation and more panicky symptoms.

But big mouth breaths can also lead to hyperventilation, so I learned to relax my upper chest and shoulders, and my diaphragm, and practice gentle belly breathing through my nose only.......GENTLE , being the word, but LOW also into the belly, not big. Stomach out on the in breath, and in on the out breath.....gently and relaxed.

Relaxation and yoga helped me, as well as meditation and mindfulness with a qualified teacher at first.

Maybe your health professional can help with the anxiety, and check your breathing pattern to see if you are over breathing.

Also try the pursed lip breathing technique for a quick fix.....breathe in gently through your nose...gently...then out gently through your mouth with pursed lips , for a slightly longer time. Repeat a few times. Then carry on breathing gently through your nose to warm and filter the air.

Check your caffeine intake too....I can't tolerate it at all.

Best wishes.

[deni-123red_ in reply to knitter]

Thanks for the breathing tips. They’re very useful. Will try that for the horrendous insomnia I suffer from. Perhaps it may relax me...

[Hidden in reply to knitter]

I feel like the king of breathing teqniques lol! Thank you I like the gentle slow one though that feels good. And yes I have cut out my caffeine, which sucks because I love my medium iced coffee from dunkin donuts not sugar just cream! So it's decaf now

[hypercat54]

Hi you need to believe the doctors and if you can't then you probably have health anxiety. This is common unfortunately but there are a good couple of sites on here which can help you. This link is one of them. x

healthunlocked.com/anxiety-...

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

you are right and I am trying to. It's just when you go online and read up on your symptoms you can't help but be your own doctor and mentally screw yourself over! My main symptoms I have is a chest tightness that will come and go, sometimes when I breathe in it will ache, and my heart beat is up a few ticks. Dr, and cardiologist say hear rate is within range and that anxiety can because that and the chest pain. I do not feel short of breathe or have any coughing issues. Not I am just at a loss. Oh but I am waking up through the night, but not as much in fear anymore. My heart seems to be more calm at night now.

[Hidden]

Ok so my anxiety is like your cass, waking up like omg here we go again! Another day closer to doomsday. I have yet to be diagnosed with a lung problem, but I am not able to sleep through the night and have a tight chest here and there. I do not have shortness of breathe or a hacking cough. My heart does beat a bit faster than it used to however it is within normal range according to my doctors. Hypercat 54 you are right I do need to believe my doctors that I am ok. It's just that we all know our own bodies when something aint right. Then I get the anxiety of dying of course, I am 38 with 4 lovely children. Then I say to myself well what can you do? The only hope is that we become eligible for a lung transplant which is something else to think about aye? I never really knew of lung disease only lung cancer. I have always asked the dear lord to take care of all those who are sick, but now find myself praying for extra help for the scientist and doctors looking for more treatments and of course a cure for these diseases. Do you all have the same thoughts and feelings?

Lastly, I have not seen a pulmonary doctor because not one of my doctors I have seen have referred me nor seen the need, and two, I am just scared. I almost just want life to run its course. I am on a small dose of lorazepam and that seems to bring me into the now. Heck I even watched a football game yesterday for the first time. for nearly 6 weeks I have only sat and listened to my thoughts. I am sure some of you can relate to that. I have a great support team and a wonderful counselor I am seeing. I wish everyone in life the best of course including you all that have responded to me and offered your feedback.

[Caspiana]

Hello Hidden .

Unfortunately, a lung transplant is not a cure but a treatment that will extend our lives, but no guarantees. For some it is is a good run but for many others it is not. Rejection happens, not a question of if , but when. Nowadays rejection can be treated, but when it is chronic, it is more complicated. One of the first things the lung surgeon said to me was "You must try and stay on your own lungs for as long as possible". A transplant is really the very last resort for those with lung disease when all else fails. Life after transplant is one of restrictions and anti rejection medication for the rest of our lives. So,honestly, if I could live without a transplant i would, but I know that I can't. I hope you are having an okay week so far. Take care.

Cas xx 🙋🌸

[Hidden]

Yes it's intimidating to even think about.

[Superzob]

I have certainly had chest pain from anxiety, and given the all clear from tests but, in fact, I wasn't really in the clear because I still had the anxiety (but that has been treated with variable success)! And, of course, a fast heart rate (tachycardia) is also a well-documented sign of anxiety, so I wouldn't be surprised if you have no significant physical condition. Hope you find some suitable treatment for the anxiety.